Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy Vocabulary Flashcards

Practice vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, foundational documents, constitutional clauses, fiscal federalism concepts, and required SCOTUS cases from Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy.

Limited Government

A government restricted usually by a constitution to prevent tyranny.

Social Contract

An idea or concept that does not actually exist, but is made real by society collectively giving it meaning.

Natural Rights

Inalienable rights that cannot be taken away, identified by John Locke as life, liberty, and property.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that power resides with the people, who must consent to be governed.

Republicanism

The idea that power belongs to the people and their elected leaders, not kings and queens.

Participatory Democracy

A model of democracy featuring broad participation in politics and civil society, such as in small towns and villages.

Pluralist Democracy

A model of democracy where power is spread across different groups or organizations, such as the NAACP.

Elite Democracy

A model of democracy with limited participation where only the educated and wealthy hold political power, such as the Electoral College.

Brutus No. 1

An Anti-Federalist document arguing for a small decentralized government to keep power local and preserve freedom.

Federalist 10

An essay written by James Madison arguing that a large republic with representative government best combats against factions.

Confederate System

A political system where regional governments join under a weak central authority while retaining their powers and independence.

Shays' Rebellion

An uprising by farmers against the state that highlighted the federal government's inability to control and protect society under the Articles of Confederation.

The Great Compromise

A constitutional agreement that created a 2-house Congress where representation in the House depended on state population.

Electoral College

The system used every 4 years to elect the president and vice president, requiring a candidate to receive at least 270 of the 538 electoral votes.

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement counting the slave population as 3/5 for representation and taxation purposes, while agreeing to end the slave trade after 20 years.

Separation of Powers

The division of government duties so no single group holds authority, protecting against tyranny as described in Federalist 51.

Checks and Balances

A system where each branch of government holds specific powers to limit or block the actions of other branches to prevent the concentration of power.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided and shared between a central national government and individual regional units.

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically given to the federal government, located in Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers not specifically listed in the Constitution that are granted to the federal government through clauses like the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Reserved Powers

Powers not explicitly given to the federal government that are reserved to the states.

Concurrent Powers

Political powers shared simultaneously by both the federal government and state governments.

Dual Federalism

A system of federalism where power is strictly divided between the federal government and the states, prominent under the Articles of Confederation.

Cooperative Federalism

A system of federalism where power is mixed between the federal and state governments (described as a marble cake), prominent after ratification of the Constitution.

Fiscal Federalism

The economic framework that explains how money is divided among national, state, and local governments.

Revenue Sharing

A system of fiscal federalism where tax money is distributed to state and local governments with virtually no strings attached, such as the State and local fiscal act of 1972.

Mandate (Unfunded Mandate)

A directive requiring states to comply with federal regulations with or without funding, benefiting the national government most (e.g., Clean Air Act Amendments, Civil Rights Restoration Act).

Categorical Grant

Federal grants given with particular congressional guidelines or requirements (strings), such as the Morrill Land-Grant Act.

Block Grant

Federal money given to states for broadly defined reasons with fewer strings, such as the Comprehensive employment Training Act of 1973 (CETA).

10th Amendment

Constitutional provision stating that any powers not explicitly granted to the federal government are left up to the states or the people.

14th Amendment

Constitutional provision guaranteeing birthright citizenship, fair legal procedures, and equal protection under all laws.

Commerce Clause

Constitutional clause giving Congress power to regulate commerce between foreign nations, states, and Indian tribes.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Constitutional clause granting Congress power to pass any law needed to carry out its official duties.

Supremacy Clause

Constitutional provision establishing that the Constitution and federal laws are the supreme law of the land, rendering contradictory state laws void.

McCulloch v. Maryland 1819

SCOTUS case ruling that Congress had implied powers under the Necessary and Proper clause to create a National Bank and that states cannot tax federal instruments.

United States v. Lopez 1995

SCOTUS case ruling that Congress exceeded its authority under the Commerce Clause in passing the Gun Free School Zones Act, restoring power to the states.

4th amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, ensuring the right to privacy.

5th amendment

Protects against self-incrimination and guarantees due process of law, and prohibits double jeopardy and taking of private property without just compensation.

10th amendment

Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.

14th amendment

Grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States and ensures equal protection under the law.

Article one of constitution

Establishes the legislative branch of the federal government, outlining the powers and responsibilities of Congress.

Article two of constitution

Establishes the executive branch of the federal government, detailing the powers and responsibilities of the President.

Article 3 of constitution

Establishes the judicial branch of the federal government, defining the powers and responsibilities of the Supreme Court and lower courts.

Article 4 of constitution

Addresses the relationships between states and the federal government, including the Full Faith and Credit Clause.

Article 6 of constitution

Establishes the supremacy of federal law over state laws and mandates an oath of office for all officials.

Article 7 of constitution

Outlines the process for ratification of the Constitution, requiring approval from nine states for it to take effect.